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ABSTRACT:
Introduction:
Imagine a technology so powerful that it will allow such feats as desktop manufacturing,
cellular repair, artificial intelligence, inexpensive space travel, clean and abundant energy and
environmental restoration; a technology so portable that every one can reap its benefits; a technology so
fundamental that it will radically change the economic and political systems; a technology so imminent
that most of people will see its impact within the lifetimes. Such is the promise of nanotechnology.
Albert Einstein first proved that each molecule measures about a nanometer (a billionth of
a meter) in diameter. In 1959, it was Richard P. Feynman who predicted a technological world
composed of self-replicating molecules whose purpose would be the production of nano-sized objects.
Almost a hundred years after Einstein’s insight and 40 years after Feynman’s initial proposition, the
nanometer scale looms large on the research agenda. The semiconductor industry is edging closer to the
world of nanotechnology where components are miniatured to the point of individual molecules and
atoms. A push is well underway to invent devices that will manufacture anything at almost no cost, by
treating atoms discretely, like computers treat bits of information. This would allow automatic
construction of consumer goods without traditional labour, like a Xerox machine produces unlimited
retyping the original information. Electronics is fuelled by miniaturization. Working smaller has led to
the tools capable of manipulating individual atoms, just as the proteins in a potato manipulate the atoms
of soil, water and air to make copies of themselves. The shotgun marriage of chemistry and
engineering called nanotechnology is ushering in the era of self replicating machinery and self-
assembling consumer goods made from cheap raw atoms
What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology aims at the design and creation of functional materials, structures, devices
and systems through direct control of matter on the nanometer length scale and exploitation
of novel phenomena and properties on this length scale. The length scale is usually defined as
being smaller than 100 nm, depending on the physical and chemical characteristics of the
particular system that undergoes quantitative and qualitative changes when the length scale
boundary is crossed.
Nanotechnology research and development includes manipulation under control of the
nanoscale structures and their integration into larger material components, systems and
architectures. Within these larger scale assemblies, the control and construction of their
structures and components remains at the nanometer scale. Essential in nanotechnology is to
have a direct control of matter either between two nano-objects, or between a micro (or
macro) object and a nano-object.
more powerful computers, by working below the wavelength of light, X-ray; etc. The ultimate result is
circuit elements consisting of single molecules.
VARIOUS DEFINITIONS’:
Webopedia's
Definition of nanotechnology a field of science whose goal is to control\individual atoms and
molecules to create computer chips and other devices that are thousands of times smaller than
current technologies permit. Current manufacturing processes use lithography to imprint circuits on
semiconductor materials. While lithography has improved dramatically over the last two decades-
to the point where some manufacturing plants can produce circuits smaller than one micron (1,000
nanometers)-it still deals with aggregates of millions of atoms. It is widely believed that
lithography is quickly approaching its physical limits. To continue reducing the size of
semiconductors, new technologies that juggle individual atoms will be necessary. This is the realm
nanotechnology. Although researching this field dates back to Richard P. Feynman's classic talk in
1959, the term nanotechnology was first coined by K. Eric Drexler in 1986 in the book
Engines of Creation
After all the simple and understandable definition of nanotechnology is given as:
Nanotechnology broadly refers to the manipulation of matter on the atomic and molecular
scales i.e. where the objects of interests are 0.1-100nm in size.
APPROACHES OF NANOTECHNOLOGY:
The two fundamentally different approaches to nanotechnology are graphically termed ‘top-down’
and ‘bottom-up’. Top down refers to making nanoscale structures by machining and etching
techniques, whereas bottom-up, or molecular nanotechnology, applies to building organic and
inorganic structures atom-by-atom, or molecule-by-molecule. Top–bottom or bottom-up is a
measure of the level of advancement of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology, as applied today, is still
mainly at what may be considered the more primitive bottom-top stage, building upward in the
Molecular scale as shown in the below figure.
CONCEPTS OF NANOTECHNOLGY:
There are two concepts commonly associated with nanotechnology:
• Positional Assembly
• Self-Replication
Clearly, we would be happy with any method that simultaneously achieved the following
three objectives. However, this seems difficult without using some form of positional assembly (to get
the right molecular parts in the right places) and some form of self-replication (to keep the costs down).
Researches at Cornell University created the world’s smallest guitar carved out of crystalline silicon and world’s smallest car and Taurus
of 10nm using an atomic force microscope (AFM).
Drexler has proposed the Assembler, a nanosize mechanical machine, which could manipulate atoms
precisely. These machines could be told to build anything. To control these miniature run-abouts,
Drexler has designed the nanocomputer. This is not an electronic device but one that would work on
‘rod-logic’; a system of criss-crossing mechanically-operated rods interacting with each other. These
computers would be small, typically fitting inside a 400-nanometer cube, which is approximately 1000
times smaller in volume than one human cell. However, these would be as powerful as some of today’s
desktop computers
from left A DNA molecule attached to two electrodes,DNA structure, Future nano robos in medicine, Swan nano
In recent years nano technology is being used in the field of medicine to an extent, they play a major role
in curing diseases like Cancer, Brain damage, Harmone deficiency, Infection, hesterostasis, Telomere
loss, Chemical accumulation, DNA damage etc.
In Machinery:
Nanotechnology develops minute technology; this is a model of "nanogears", as small as
only a few atoms wide. As science becomes more sophisticated it naturally enters the realm of what is
arbitrarily labeled nanotechnology. The essence of nanotechnology is that as we scale things down they
start to take on extremely novel properties. Nanoparticles (clusters at nanometer scale), for example, have
very interesting properties and are proving extremely useful as catalysts and in other uses. If we ever do
make nanobots, they will not be scaled down versions of contemporary robots.
In Space Research:
The stringent fuel constraints for lifting payloads into earth orbit and beyond and the desire
to send spacecraft away from the sun for extended missions (where solar power would be greatly
diminished) compel continued reduction in size, weight, and power consumption of payloads.
Nanostructured materials and devices promise solutions to these challenges. Nanostructuring is also
critical to the design and manufacture of lightweight, high-strength, thermally stable materials for
aircraft, rockets, space stations, and planetary/solar exploratory platforms.
TRANSPORTATION:
Nano materials and Nano electronics will yield lighter, faster, and safer vehicles and
more durable, reliable, and cost-effective roads, bridges, runways, pipelines, and rail systems. The
replacement of carbon black in tires by nanometer-scale particles of inorganic clays and polymers
is a new technology that is leading to the production of environmentally friendly, wear-resistant
tires
ENVISAGED ‘SUICIDES’
Any powerful technology can be used to do great harm as well as great good. And
Nanotechnology is no exception to it. The concerns include:
• ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION
Smart drugs and other nano-devices used in medical applications could
contaminate the environment after being expelled from the body.
• MUTATION:
Smart drugs or other nano-devices capable of manipulating organic molecules
could interact with cellular activity in unexpected ways. Titanium dioxide, for example, is
used in sunscreens for its ability to reflect the sun's light and harmful UV rays. At its
nanoscale, it stops reflecting light and therefore becomes transparent - and thus more
commercially useful - while maintaining its ability to reflect harmful UV rays.
Unfortunately, transparency isn't the only change. Scientists from Oxford have observed
that at nanoscale titanium dioxide can also pass through the skin and damage the DNA of
cells.
• RUNAWAY CONDITION
A smart drug or nano-device capable of replicating itself could result in a runaway condition.
• WEAPONS
This technology has the potential to be used as a weapon that would be difficult to control. Atomic
properties could be exploited for causing destruction
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Given the tremendous potential benefits of nanotechnology, and the concern that
it be developed with sensitivity to potential negative implications, some recommendations are
quoted below.
• Make support for social and economic research studies on nanotechnology a high priority.
Build openness, disclosure, and public participation into the process of developing
nanotechnology research and development program direction.
• Establish a mechanism to inform, educate, and involve the public regarding potential
impacts of nanotechnology. The mechanism should receive feedback from the
nanotechnology community, social scientists, the private sector, and the public.
• Create the knowledge base and institutional infrastructure to evaluate nanotechnology
scientific, technological, and societal impacts and implications from short-term (3 to 5
year), medium-term (5 to 20 year), and long-term (over 20year) perspectives.
• Educate and train a new generation of scientists and workers skilled in nanoscience and
nanotechnology at all levels with regard to societal implications.
• Provide intellectual input and seed funding of activities aimed at assessing the societal
implications of nanotechnology.
• Develop partnerships with academic institutions and other sectors.
• Offer accessibility to social science researchers and provide feedback on societal
implications studies.
---SUGGESTIONS FOR GOVERNMENT R&D LABORATORIES
• Communicate the resulting activities to the public. Provide coordinated support for long-
term basic research and shorter-term technological developments to create the
technological base and prove the potential of the new technology.
• Provide suggestions for grand challenges and suggest warning signs of potential risks.
To take full advantage of the new technology, the entire scientific and technology
community must involve all participants, including the general public creatively envision the
future; set broad goals; and work together to expedite societal benefits.
CONCLUSION:
The paper concludes that the argument is not to relinquish the technological
developments but to keep an eye on the ethical implications so that we can take the full
advantage of it. Man had already made mistakes over the misuse of nuclear energy, GM
products etc. No more suicidal attempts can be entertained that can relinquish human safety.
We have ‘experienced to realize’ the technological destruction faced by mankind today. No
one can be made responsible for this and unless we find ways to safeguard ourselves, we are
in great trouble.
REFERENCE:
1. ARTICLE – “NANOTUBE PEAPODS” – SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY, THE
HINDU – 10 Jan 2002